Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Liz Bourke

@hawkwinglb.bsky.social

2.9K followers 830 following 9.7K posts

Ph.D Classics. Reviews @ Reactor Magazine (ex. Tor.com) and Locus Magazine. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hawkwing_lb Wordpress: https://lizbourke.wordpress.com Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@hawkwing_lb

www.patreon.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · Nov 9

Hello, new followers! I write reviews of science fiction and fantasy novels for @locusmag.bsky.social and for @reactorsff.bsky.social. On my blog lizbourke.wordpress.com/news-and-upd..., I write about the nonfiction I've been reading lately, and the occasional deeper dive on some aspect of SFF.

κῆπος τῶν βιβλιοθηκῶν | a garden from the libraries

Liz Bourke: books, history, writing, and culture.

lizbourke.wordpress.com

3 3 30

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 9h

Just bloody hell it is all too much, I will lie here in the dust until a cat eats me.

1 5

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Marie Brennan @swantower.bsky.social · 10h

It took me forty-five tries to sell them a story.

These days, that would represent literal decades of effort.

1 1 6

Reposted by Liz Bourke

"Online Rent-a-Sage" Bret Devereaux @bretdevereaux.bsky.social · 15h

It's always striking seeing other academics talk about their academic parents and be reminded that close to a quarter of all tenure-line academics have at least one PhD parent.

That's not a critique, but I always wonder how different it would be to have a parent who already understood academia.

29 23 420

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 14h

And enough shelves, but that likely is not to come to pass.

1 4

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 14h

I just want to finally one day have a settled space with no damp, no mildew, no plaster dust, no BOXES.

1 4

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Patrick Nielsen Hayden @pnh.nielsenhayden.com · 14h

In other words, protein-supplement jocks have been giving themselves significant lead poisoning for years, which explains so _very_ much about our world.

paris martineau @paris.nyc · 15h

my latest investigation for @consumerreports.org is based on months of reporting and 60+ lab tests of leading protein supplements

we found that most protein powders and shakes have more lead in one serving than our experts say is safe to have in a day (🧵)

www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein...

Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer Reports

CR tests of 23 popular protein powders and shakes found that most contain high levels of lead.

www.consumerreports.org

3 25 65

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 14h

I am a precious precious flower and easily overset, yes.

1 6

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 14h

Trying to reorganise my workspace after the new windows went in while still being exhausted after sickness: a terrible idea liable to result in weeping.

1 9

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 15h

"a test"? you mean...a violation?

AP: Israel plans to halve aid into Gaza over slow return of dead hostages, a test for the Gaza ceasefire

140 1.6K 6.3K

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Kate Clancy @kateclancy.bsky.social · 18h

I am being asked to tell my department which pieces of lab equipment should be supported with backup power because they expect rolling blackouts and brownouts in 2026 due to increased energy demands from AI. In case you're wondering how my day is going.

23 530 1.2K

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Sophia Babai @swingingstorm.bsky.social · 16h

So far TODAY Israel has:

- bombed Gaza City
- bombed Khan Younis
- shot and killed five Palestinians in Gaza City
- refused to open the Rafah border crossing
- announced they would once more block aid

This is what a "ceasefire" with Israel looks like. This is what it has always looked like.

9 280 420

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 16h

Mmm.

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · 1d

This is "debanking", and its a problem that has plagued sex workers for decades. It isnt right when its targetting sex workers and its not right when its targetting game devs and creators either.

Give paypros and your givt reps your grievances and demand that debanking of adult content stop

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · 1d

Per Reddit: Steam adult developer in the UK is sitting on a USD equivalent of six figures, can’t find a bank to take his money because the developer creates adult games

www.reddit.com/r/UKPersonal...

r/UKPersonalFinance
3 hr. ago
Previous-Camera1641

I develop adult video games on Steam. I can't find a bank that will actually let me withdraw my money from Steam. Can I get some advice?
Game has sold quite well on Steam. I've got almost £90,000 ready to withdraw after Steam's cut + VAT taken off.

However, it's been 2 months now and I can't find ANY bank in the UK who will let me withdraw my money from Steam.

I've been banned/refused/unable to get a business account with:

Wise
Revolut
Monzo
Monese
Chase
Starling
Nationwide
Halifax
Barclays
Lloyds
RBS

It always comes down to, "Where did you get this money from?"

"It's coming from games I sell on Steam."

"Can we see the store page?"

"Sure."

"I'm sorry, we can't do business with you at this time."

It keeps coming down to a commercial decision purely because I make adult content.

What the hell am I supposed to do? I've pretty much exhausted the whole banking system. I just want to be able to be paid for products I've sold.

16 1.8K 2.6K

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · 1d

21 630 1.2K

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Amanda Rutter @alrutter.bsky.social · 17h

We've only had to go and do a reprint of The Spear Cuts Through Water AGAIN. Thanks to every single person who continues to recommend this dream of a book ❤️

12 61

Reposted by Liz Bourke

PinkNews @pinknews.bsky.social · 22h

Trans Royal Mail worker wins sex discrimination payout after harassment from co-workers
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/10/14/trans-royal-mail-worker-wins-sex-discrimination-payout-after-harassment-from-co-workers/?utm_content=1760434801&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky

Trans Royal Mail worker wins payout after harassment from co-workers

A trans Royal Mail worker has won a harassment payout after being subjected to bullying, verbal abuse and physical assault.

www.thepinknews.com

5 37

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 17h

Right, I spot a few there I should get on!

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Kerstin Hall @kerstinhall.bsky.social · 17h

Hello, UK-people! Asunder is coming to your shores in January, and it would be very nice if you preordered it.

www.waterstones.com/book/asunder...

A infographic with details regarding the WATERSTONES 25% OFF:
On Upcoming Books sale.

Asunder is part of that.

6 10

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Dr Aisling Tierney @irishashyt.bsky.social · 17h

🧵 This is what I’ve been using my annual leave for recently, travelling to Devon to explore the rich archaeological heritage of Great Torrington.

I volunteer with Dig the Castle, a project started by Dig Director Emily Wapshott MCIfA.
@archsengage.bsky.social

1 5 27

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 17h

(Signed, a citizen of Ireland who has cordially loathed their government since reaching the age of majority, but is very attached to the office of the president.)

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 17h

You have my sword!

1 3

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 17h

Most Big Symbol Person should not, crucially, be in charge of any part of actually governing, or things get terribly confused.

1 2

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 17h

It is useful to have a symbolic head of state for ribbon cutting, representing the national mood, showing up for the arts, talking to foreign delegations, awarding medals, being chairperson for important meetings, and performing limited legislative scrutiny.

1 1

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 17h

What *is* your stance on UBI?

1 5

Reposted by Liz Bourke

Jon Worth @jonworth.eu · 18h

Well sorry SNCF, you DID NOT WANT IT. You cannot not want it, and then prevent others wanting it.

And you present yourselves as a public service?

3 2 25